Steve Gunn: Snyder will need a Republican legislature to hit the ground running

Steve GunnIf our goal is to put the people of Michigan back to work any time soon, our state government will have to undergo a quick transformation next year, both in substance and reputation.

For decades, we’ve been known far and wide as a high-tax, heavy regulation, anti-business state. If we’re going to attract any new industries, that will have to change.

But Rick Snyder, the prohibitive favorite to be our next governor, can’t restore the health of Michigan’s business environment on his own. His best chance for success will be having a cooperative, pro-business Republican legislature to work with.

That means the many Democrats and independents who plan to vote for Snyder would also be wise to support Republican legislative candidates. That’s particularly crucial in Muskegon County, where the winners in two battleground districts will help determine the balance of power in the state House and Senate.

I’m talking about the 91st state House district, which includes a big chunk of Muskegon County and Chester Township in Ottawa County, and the 34th state Senate district, which includes Muskegon, Oceana, Newaygo and Mason counties.

The Republican candidates in both districts come from business backgrounds and have years of experience creating and maintaining jobs. They are on the same philosophical page as Snyder regarding business retention and expansion. Without these type of legislators, our new governor will have trouble getting anything done.

I openly acknowledge my Republican bias. But this column is more than a plug for my favored candidates.

This year, more than ever before, I believe it’s absolutely critical that we elect a state government completely dedicated to bringing jobs to Michigan, as soon as humanly possible. With an unemployment rate still hovering around 14 percent, that’s pretty obvious.

I also think it’s crucial that our new governor and legislative majorities come from the same party, so they can work together to attract new business investment without partisan gridlock.

A Republican governor and Democratic legislature would be a disastrous mix. It would only lead to more political and economic turmoil and greater numbers of young people leaving the state.

The partisan split in the state House and Senate is very close right now, with the Democrats controlling the House and Republicans in charge of the Senate.

A few key races in battleground districts throughout the state will determine the new majorities in both chambers. That’s why ticket-splitting, which is second nature to many Michigan voters, is not a good idea this year.

The Republicans know there’s a lot state government can do right away to make Michigan more appealing for business, starting with a repeal of the onerous Michigan Business Tax. Business people bitterly complain about the MBT, saying it’s preventing them from expanding and creating new opportunities for Michigan workers.

Republicans could be counted on to vote for repeal of this tax, or serious changes to it. The same can’t be said for their anti-business Democratic opponents, who come from organized labor backgrounds.

Remember, many of our state’s prominent labor unions have been calling for tax increases to better fund state government, and those unions control the Democratic Party. Repeal of the business tax, or any type of tax, is definitely not on their agenda.

Labor’s main concern is raising enough tax money for state government to maintain all of its social programs and special interest commitments, as well as generous salaries and benefits for state employees.

Republicans are more interested in private sector job creation, so we won’t need as many social programs, and state employees won’t be the only people making decent money.

To borrow a phrase from the late President Calvin Coolidge, the business of government is business. That has never been more true than this year.

That’s why we need Republican legislators. They will work with Snyder to make life easier for the job creators of Michigan, so they can make life easier for the many people still desperately seeking employment.